Katy Heritage on the Katy Local

UP SD70ACE 1988, the Katy Heritage commemorative locomotive, was the lead unit on the LAK71, the northbound Katy, TX – Smithville, TX local this past Wednesday, May 5, 2010.

The Katy local works 6 days/week serving clients along what had been the MKT mainline. In 1998, the UP sold the right-of-way east of Katy to TX DOT for the expansion of I-10. What had been a main line became the Sealy Industrial Lead, a 21.6 mile long spur.

I received confirmation that the 1988 was on the point, and the train had just departed Katy, at 4:45 PM, so Eric and I grabbed our cameras and headed out to try our luck.

We were able to dodge most of the rush-hour traffic, catching up with the train at Brookshire about 6 PM. The train had stopped to set out 2  gondolas.

UP LAK71 departing Brookshire, TX on May 5, 2010.

Approaching an out-of-service dragging equipment detector just east of the Brazos River bridge

As the speed limit for the entire segment from Katy to Sealy is 10 mph, getting ahead of the train is pretty easy.

Same location as above, but with the lens at 70mm. This was the best light we encountered.

Coming up the slight grade from the Brazos River bridge. Interstate 10 is in the background.

Approaching the Bartlett Road overpass in San Felipe, TX

Bartlett Road overpass again, but looking west. I really like the contrast from the backlighting.

The train finds a last bit of sun among the shadows as it enters Sealy, TX

We were also able to get some video of this train during its leisurely run between Brookshire and Sealy, but that will have to wait for another post.